Rakesh Sharma
LASTING peace between Ukraine and Russia is the strategic thrust of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kyiv, a month after he visited Moscow to reiterate India’s stand that ‘this was not the era of war’.
The visit, a day after his visit to Poland, acquires special significance in the backdrop of the ongoing RussiaUkraine war that broke out in February 2022 and seems to be escalating to dangerous proportions, frustrating efforts to bring about a thaw.
An indication of PM Modi’s role as a global peacemaker was given by an official of the Ministry of External Affairs at the outset of his historic mission: “India has substantial ties with both Ukraine and Russia, and a negotiated settlement between the two parties would be key for lasting peace”, the official said.
PM’s personal rapport
While officials were reluctant to say if PM Modi had a peace plan, they added that India is willing to provide all possible support and contribution required to help find a peaceful solution to this complex issue. The fact that PM Modi has a personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and has had several interactions with both, makes him the best suited to strike a balance.
India had attended the Global Peace Summit on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but opted out of the joint communique because Russia was not invited. It said no solution was possible without the two sides being on the table.
Though at the time of writing this report, it would be premature to speculate on any outcome, international affairs experts say PM Modi’s Ukraine visit could certainly mark the beginning of a real search for solution to a complex issue.
During his high-stake visit to Moscow after his re-election for a third term, PM Modi had conveyed India’s commitment to peace and its willingness to help bring about an end to the conflict.
Though Ukraine had shown its disappointment, the White House had expressed the hope that India’s strong ties with Russia give it the leverage to persuade President Putin.
Significantly, this is the first visit to Ukraine by an Indian prime minister since diplomatic ties were established between the two countries 30 years ago. On the way, PM Modi visited neighbouring Poland for a day to mark the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Poland.
The Warsaw and Kiev visits of Prime Minister Modi has generated widespread global interest. Beyond a balancing act of diplomacy, it underlines India’s neutrality and projects him as a pursuer of global peace.
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